Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Feta Tzatziki (Printer-friendly)

Marinated chicken sizzles to perfection, then layers with cool feta tzatziki, fresh vegetables, and Kalamata olives in warm pita bread.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly and Serving

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
24 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid, ensuring the tzatziki will be thick and creamy.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
08 - Warm pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top, drizzle with additional tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade does all the heavy lifting, so you get bold flavor without babysitting the stove.
  • That feta tzatziki is creamy, tangy, and somehow makes everything taste better, even leftovers.
  • It's one of those recipes that looks impressive but comes together faster than you'd think.
  • You can prep the chicken and sauce ahead, then assemble fresh when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Squeeze the cucumber dry or your tzatziki will be soupy and sad, I learned this the hard way the first time I made it.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking, slicing it too soon makes all the juices run out and you lose that tender, juicy bite.
  • Don't skip warming the pita, cold flatbread cracks when you fold it and ruins the whole experience.
03 -
  • If you don't have a grill pan, a regular skillet works fine, just make sure it's screaming hot before the chicken goes in.
  • Double the tzatziki recipe, it's ridiculously good as a dip for veggies, chips, or even spread on sandwiches the next day.
  • Slice the chicken against the grain after it rests so every piece stays tender and easy to bite through.
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